Seattle decides to franchise Brown

Scott Eklund

02/22/2007

It wasn't much of a surprise today when the Seattle Seahawks used their franchise tag on four-year veteran kicker Josh Brown. The move now sets up Brown to receive the average of the highest paid kickers in the league and he's done nothing but earn that salary over his first four seasons, but especially the past two.

Brown was offered a contract worth a little more than $2 million today and Seattle will now have the ability to match any offer the young kicker receives.

Should the team refuse to match the offer, they would receive two first round draft choices from the team Brown chooses to sign with.

As a restricted free agent last season, Brown earned $721,600 in base salary.

Brown enjoyed a career-season in 2006, hitting 80.6-percent of his kicks (25 of 31) and nailing three game-winning kicks (twice vs. St. Louis and also against Denver).

The Seahawks had said they wanted to get a deal done with Brown before the free agency deadline, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.